J. J. Bleday

Jeffrey Joseph Bleday (born November 10, 1997) is an American professional baseball outfielder in the Miami Marlins organization.

J.J. Bleday
Miami Marlins
Outfielder
Born: (1997-11-10) November 10, 1997
Danville, Pennsylvania
Bats: Left Throws: Left

Career

Bleday grew up in Titusville, Pennsylvania, and attended Titusville Area High School as a freshman and sophomore before transferring to A. Crawford Mosley High School in Lynn Haven, Florida for his junior and senior years.[1] As a junior, he batted .373 while pitching to a 4-1 record and 2.43 ERA.[2] After his senior year, Bleday was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 39th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft.[3] However, he did not sign and instead chose to attend Vanderbilt University to play college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores.

In 2017, as a freshman at Vanderbilt, Bleday appeared in 51 games in which he hit .256 with two home runs and 22 RBIs.[4] That summer, he played for the Newport Gulls of the New England Collegiate Baseball League where he batted .232 with two home runs over 69 at-bats.[5] As a sophomore in 2018, Bleday missed 22 games due to an oblique injury[6] but still appeared in 39 games for the Commodores, batting .368 with four home runs and 15 RBIs.[7] Following the collegiate season, he played in the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named the top professional prospect after hitting .311 with five home runs and 15 RBIs in 36 games for the Orleans Firebirds.[8] In 2019, Bleday's junior year, he was named the Southeastern Conference Baseball Player of the Year.[9][10] He finished the season slashing .347/.465/.701 with 27 home runs and 72 RBIs in 71 games, helping Vanderbilt win the 2019 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament.[11]

Bleday was considered one of the top prospects for the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.[12][13] He was selected by the Miami Marlins with the fourth overall pick,[14] and signed for $6.7 million.[15] He made his professional debut on July 20, 2019 with the Class A-Advanced Jupiter Hammerheads of the Florida State League,[16] and spent the remainder of the year there. Over 38 games, Bleday slashed .257/.311/.379 with three home runs and 19 RBIs.[17]

References
  1. "On Campus: Mercyhurst finishes 32nd in Learfield standings". goerie.com. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  2. "Bleday prepping for big summer showcases". Panama City News Herald. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  3. "Titusville native picked up in MLB draft". The Titusville Herald. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  4. "2019 CBD TOP 100 COUNTDOWN: 25. J.J. BLEDAY (VANDERBILT)". College Baseball Daily. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  5. "Stars will align, but not just yet". newportri.com. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  6. "Vanderbilt injured slugger J.J. Bleday could return vs. Auburn ace Friday". Tennessean. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  7. "SEC baseball season preview: Who are the top pitchers and position players?". The Advocate. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  8. "Bleday named Cape Cod League's top prospect". Nashville Post. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  9. "Vanderbilt, J.J. Bleday dominate SEC baseball awards". Knox News. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  10. "Vanderbilt's JJ Bleday selected as SEC player of the year". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  11. Dusenbury, Wells. "Fresh off Vandy national title, first-round pick JJ Bleday can begin Marlins negotiations". sun-sentinel.com.
  12. "MLB.com 2019 Prospect Watch". Major League Baseball.
  13. "Vandy's Bleday standing out in MLB4 tourney". MLB.com. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  14. https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article230943298.html
  15. Sparks, Adam. "J.J. Bleday signs with Marlins for $6.7 million bonus; 12 Vanderbilt players turn pro". The Tennessean.
  16. https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article232928132.html
  17. Kent, Dustin. "Bleday tries to stay sharp, optimistic during hiatus". Panama City News Herald.
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